CDN Comparison: CloudFront vs. Akamai
Are you trying to choose between CloudFront and Akamai as your content delivery network (CDN)? Look no further, we're here to help!
Pricing
Both CloudFront and Akamai offer pricing based on usage, which includes data transfer out and request fees. However, Akamai has a higher minimum monthly commitment compared to AWS.
For example, if you use 500 GB of data transfer out with 10 million requests, your monthly cost with Akamai would be around $1,200. Whereas with CloudFront, it would cost around $100 for the same usage.
Performance
When it comes to performance, both CloudFront and Akamai have huge server networks that span the globe. However, Akamai has been in the game much longer and has a larger presence worldwide than CloudFront.
CloudFront claims to have 180 Points of Presence (PoPs) in 83 cities. Akamai, on the other hand, boasts 258,000 servers in over 140 countries.
Having said that, performance also depends on the specific use case and location. Therefore, it's recommended to test both services using your own content and see which performs better for your specific needs.
Features
CloudFront and Akamai both offer similar basic CDN features like caching, security, and content optimization. However, Akamai offers additional features that can be useful for enterprise-level clients, such as API protection and DDoS mitigation.
CloudFront, on the other hand, offers tight integration with other AWS services, making it more convenient for users running their infrastructure on AWS.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both CloudFront and Akamai are reliable and reputable CDNs. CloudFront is more affordable and has tight integration with AWS services, making it an ideal choice for AWS users. On the other hand, Akamai has a larger presence worldwide and offers more advanced features for enterprise-level clients.
Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and budget.